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Western Carolinian (Volume 69 Number 05)

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  • hl_westerncarolinian_2004_vol69_no05_10.jpg
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  • 4 F | rs ] + i iY} Hy | Hurricane Ivan leaves great aftermath in Western North Carolina by sergio ortiz You would think that nature would give Western North Carolina a break after Hurricane Frances; but it decided to produce another hurricane. Residents still suffering from the effects of Frances prepared themselves for Hurricane Ivan. People in counties across Western North Carolina prepared for the storm by buying flashlights, water and non-perish- able foods, while the county government opened shelters. Here at Western, classes were cancelled for Sept. 16-18, and students were asked to go home in case of a power loss. ivan finally hit WNC on September 16, bringing 60 mph winds and 6 to 12 inches of rain with it. The WCU campus was mostly spared by the storm as the winds and rainfall only slightly damaged three dorms. Unfortunately, the baseball field suffered the most damage. The campus briefly lost power, but it quickly returned. Twenty people, including ten students, used the Ramsey Center, the countys designated emergency shelter. Although WCU was lucky, other places weren't. In Sylva, many people lost power due to trees falling over power lines. Beyond Jackson County, the torrential rains in Macon County caused massive mudslides in the Peek Creek community south of Highlands, mov- ing homes from their foundations. Rivers flooded and numerous people are reported missing. As of Sept. 21, lvan has taken the lives of four people in Macon County and injured dozens of residents near over-flowed rivers or mudslides. As of Sept. 22 |lvan was responsible for the death of eleven people in Western North Carolina. Many roads and highways suffered great dam- age and are now closed. I-40 in Macon County near the Tennessee border is reduced to one lane for both westbound sides. Complete repairs may take up to a year. US 64 between Highlands and Cashiers is closed with no official detour, and re- pairs could take up to half a year. So where do all those affected from Ivan go from here? On September 19, President Bush ordered federal disaster aid for Macon County, which will help those victims. The aid consists of temporary housing for those whose homes were destroyed or are uninhabitable and grants to help with repairs. Loans are also available to those whose insurance 3 will not cover the whole cost of home repairs. For other counties, the local government is taking the appropriate actions to help those in need. Now we await Hurricane Jeanne. Though she doesn't seem to be quite as threatening as Frances or ivan, doesnt mean we shouldn't be ready. We must take the appropriate actions and just hope for the best. All photos by Brad Lewis Jackson County Recovery by Brandy Kiger In the wake of Hurricane ivan and Tropical Storm Francis, many Jackson County residents are scrambling to make amends of the damage left behind. Rising floodwaters and damaged trees left many with flooded property and with- out power over the past week. In an effort to assist with the damage and losses, WCU has established the Hurricane Relief Fund for Western Carolina faculty and students who incurred such storm-related damage. A committee is being formed to manage the fund, and distribute financial as- -istance as necessary, according to specific criteria. Donations may be made to ie fund through cash or personal check by contacting Lila Buchanan in the Office t Development. which is located in 401 HFR Building. All donors will receive a tax deductible receipt Aliso, in Sylva, a temporary Disaster Recovery Center has opened to assist anyone who suffered losses or damage from the storm. If you are seeking as- e the sistance, please contact the Center at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), and hav following available: A phone number where you may be reached Social Security Number A current mailing address The address of the damaged property ll description of the damages surance information if applicab You will be given a registration ee you call and you should take! a dal number with you when you go to the office. bh Office for the Disaster Recovery Center is located in room 203 0 unty Justice Center at 401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Sylva AARwWN> his f the Jackson
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